Sawmill log-setting device.



W. H. APPLEMAN.

SAWMILL LOG SETTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 1a, 1915 Patented Oct. 2,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

W. H. APPLEMAN.

SAWMILL LOG SETTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, m5.

1,241,807. Patented Oct. 2,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSEZ W. H. APPLEMAN.

SAWMILL LOG SETTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. is, 1915.

1,241,807. Patented Oct. 2,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I u; .m L@ 11H H i I,

| m w W WITNESSES: I INVENTOR.

W H. APPLEMAN.

SAWMILL LOG SETTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. l6. |9|s 1 41,807. Patented Oct. 2,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. APPLEMAN, 0F OLEAN, NEW YORK.

SAWMILL LOG-SETTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

Application filed April 16, 1915. Serial No. 21,909.

the setting mechanism that engages more directly with the blocks. y

The object of my invention is to provide a means for securing greater accuracy in moving the head block knees or standards setting shaft and head toward the saw line, greater accessibility to a working parts and at the same time eliminate the impactand objectionable inertia found in other machines for a like purpose.

I attain these objects in the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which. 1 Figure '1 is aleft side elevation v1ew of my device assembled complete in connection with the usual type of carriage used in a large modern sawmill. Fig. 2 presents side elevations and an end view of members of Fig. 1, which will he later referred to in detail.

Fig. 3 is'a plan view of my device shown in connection with portions of a sawmill head block, and in which the usual type of setting mechanism is fairly illustrated.

1F ig. 4'is a right side elevation view of my device assembled and as usually applied to a sawmill carriage and in which the usual type of setting mechanism is further lllustrated.

i Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cylinder, valve chest and valve of my device, and in which the port arrangement and piston control is illustrated.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectiontaken on a line aa of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a vapor employing cylinder, piston, and valve, which are herewith presented for the purpose of illustration and comparison, andtherefore form no real part of my own device.

Like characters indicate like parts ihmfighwt the Various fig r A carriage frame 1 is illustrated for showlng the general application of my device.

It is mounted on a series oftrucks 2 and restlng on the carriage, is a head block 3, two or more of which are invariably used, each being fitted with a knee or-standard 4, sa d standards being fittedto said'blocks with a tongue and groove engagement, and carrylng on their lower surface a rack 5, wh ch in turn engages with a'pinion 6, wh ch is actuated by a setting shaft 7, and which extends through and connects any number of blocks that may be employed.

My nnprovcment proper "consists of a motor comprising a steam or vapor usin engine, having a cylinder 8 which pref erably is cast integral with'the bed or frame shown 1n connection therewith, and which not only aids in supporting other important mechanism entering into my device, but also a1ds 1n providing means for supporting my dev1ce in its relation to saidcarriage and blocks. In said cylinder 8, a working or vapor actuated piston 9 is fitted having a piston rod 10 which extends outward through a stuffing box 11. Attached to cylinder 8'is'a valve chest 12, containing a valve 13 having an extending valve rod 14, with means of connection with an operating lever 15, and by means of which vapor is alternately admltted and expelled from said cylinder 8. Located at the right side of cylinder 8 is the usual type of setting mechanism, comprising a pair of wheels 16 and 17,-usually termed ratchet wheels, said wheels being rigidly attached to setting shaft 7, and being actuated by what are usually termed pawl carriers 18 and 19. Wheels '16 and 17 may be either smooth faced, or may be provided with teeth, and said pawl carriers may be fitted with any form of gripping device, which engages while moving in one direction and releases while moving in the opposite direction. Lying parallel with setting shaft 7 and reasonably adjacent to said wheels 16 and 17 and the pawl carriers 18 and 19 is a shaft 20, usually termed the rocker shaft of the setting mechanism, said shaft being pivotally supported near one end by the bed or frame of cylinder 8, and at its oppositeend by a tie box frame piece 21. Rigidly attached to said shaft a rocker having oppositely disposed forked arms 23 and 24:,

and pivotally attached to arm 23 a conpointer by a nut.

necting rod 25, which is also pivotally. attached to pawl carrier 18, while a similar rod 26 is pivotally attached to arm 24 and also to pawl carrier 19. Lying on each side of, and parallel with the setting shaft 7, are shafts 27 and 28, which operate in connection with a receding mechanism not shown, andztherefore it and said shafts'are not'in volved in or made a part of my application. Rigidly attached to the left end of shaft is an arm 29, which at its outer end is provided with a crank pin 30, and adjacent to shaft 20, and pivotally mounted in the frame of cylinder'S is a shaft 31, which carries ari'gidly attached arm 32. Rigidly attached toshaft 31, is also a long swinging ever 3, g n ly kn w a a du i or setting lever, the upper end of which is adapted to .-.engage with a radial quadrant 34 by: means of alatch 35 which fits'into one or more of afseries. of notcheswhich extend over the entire length of said quadrant. At the (extreme outer end of the bed of cylinder '8 is pivotally mounted a shaft 36, and

rigidly attachedtolsaid shaft, is an arm or rocker which in turn is provided with a curved guide 38. Pivota-lly attached to piston-rod 10 by a bolt orpin 39 .is a connectingiro d 40, the outer end of which is .pivotally attached to arm ,3 7 by boltor pin 41 Locatedon arm 37 and having a sliding tonguev andgrooved fit in radial guide 3 8 is a curved block 42, said block is provided with pivotal openings into which "are inserted pivotal b0lts 43 and 44. Attached ,to'pivotal .bolt44 is alink 45 which extends to, and is pivotally'attached to arm 32b a bolt 46, and attached to vblock42 by pivotal bolt 43 is alink3-47 which is pivotally attached to crank. pin 39.01: arm 29. Breferably arm 37 is so, located asito cause guide '38 to lie in a true concentric relation to crank pin 30. Located on one side oflever 33, see Fig.4, is a pointer. 48, is pivotally attached to lever 33 bya bolt or pin 49, a shoulder bolt .50 is rigidly secnrable to said Said" bolt passes through an arc-shaped slightly elongatedor slotted opening in lever 33 and onthe oppo- Site sidevof lever 33 islocateda device desig nated as ainotch finder 5 1. It is alsopivotally mounted on bolt or. pin 49, and bolt also passesthrough it, and by means of a handle nut. 52 the pointer 48 and notch finder 51 are both rigidly secured to lever 33. Notch finder 51 comprises a barrel pieceinto which is inserted a spring actuated taper nose plunger 53,-said plunger engages in alimited number of like notches cut the under side of 'quadrant34, orinto a. circle piece attached thereto.

The above statedvlike notches are so disposed as toindicatethe proper position of lever 33 in order to yield certain predetermmed movements of the setting mechanism,

and inasmuch as pointer48 notch'linder 51, are rigidly connected'by bolt 50, irrespective of compression applied by handle nut 52, it is evidentthat b slacking handle nut 52 and withdrawing atch 35, lever 33 may be moved back and forth within certain limits and latched accordingly without disengaging plunger 53, or even changing, the reading of pointer 48, thereby providing a limited adjustment of lever 33 which is instantaneous, as the adjustment can readily be made without tools while therarriage is in motion and the saw is readily determine by sound and touch alone,-

precisely when the plungergof said notch finder registers with any one ofthe aforesaid I type notches, and as their nuniben is quite limlted he quickly learns just what position of lever '33 each shaped notch indicates. a f

The operation of the device is very simple. Allparts of the device are shown in what is termed a home position, and" which per- 7 mits of the setting lever 33'being moved to, and latched inany desired position on the qua t 3 4. of connection with sliding blo'ck'42, the latter is correspondingly moved to, and locked in, any desired position on the guide 38, carried by arm 37. In the ;'position shown, block 42 is so located as to bring pivotal bolt 43 directly in line with shaft 36- and while in this position, the rockingof arm imparts little or no movement to bolt 43, link 47 or rocker shaft 20. V

andas its lower end hasrneans By moving valve lever 15 outward from valve chest 12, compressedvapor is admitted to the inner or stuffing box end of cylinder 8, and gradually liberated from its outer end, thereby forcing piston 9 and'p'iston rod 10 inward, which, with the aid of link 40 causes arm 37 to rock forward. Then piston 9 reaches the end of its stroke by contacting with the outer head ofcylinder 8, the valve and piston movements are reversed, thus bringing all parts backto'the home position from which they started. Thus far no movement has been imparted to the rocker arm 29, or rocker shaft 20 but by moving the setting lever away from its neutral or shown position, block 42 is moved upward in guide 38 untilpivotal bolt 43 is no'longer in line with, but above shaft 36. By then repeating the valve andpiston movements, pivotal bolt 43 describes a concentricoscillating movement, and by'the aid of link 47 imparts a the outer end of said cylinder.

tirely controlled by the position of the setting lever 33;" i I A circular dial 8 is shown attached to cylinder 8,.itspurpose is to indicate the distance between standards 4 and the saw line,

it,'however, is not involved in my application Q i I wish to place particular emphasis on my method of controlling the movementof pis- 'ton9 of my device, and in order to make same more clear I have deemed it proper to devote a SGClZlOIl'Of the specification to said method exclusively as presented in Figs.

5 and 6, and in which the interior arrangement of all ports and steam chambers are clearly. illustrated. Valve chest 12 preferablyrests'on top of cylinder 8. It is provided with a central steam'inlet and chamber 54, and exhaust outlet 55, also exhaust chambers and ports 56 and 57 both of which Leading from said valve chest, is a large steam port 58 which leads to the inner or stufling box end of cylinder 8, and a similar port 59 leads to Leading froma point some distance from the outer end ofcylinder 8 is a small exhaust port 60 which terminates in exhaust chamber 57 of chest 12, and an exhaust port of like character '61 leads from a similar point in the inner end of said cylinder, and terminates in exhaust chamber 56 of said chest. Leading from steam port 58 to exhaust port 61 is a small port 62, and forming a like connection between steam port 59 and exhaust "port 60 isa similar small port 63. Partially insertedin said small ports 62 and 63respectivelyyare adjustable control plugs 64 and: 65 and by means of which the active area 015 ports 62and'63 may be precisely fixed. i-Exhaust ports 60 and 61 are drilled ports,'therefore, the area of the entire exhaust outlet is accurately predetermined as well as subject to control. The position of valve 13 shows steam port 59 open and piston 9 resting against the inner head of cylinder S-amder full steam pressure. Steam port '58 being closed 'at its upper end by valve 13, and the upper terminalof exhaust port 61 being open to exhaustchamber 56.

r The lower end of steam ports 58, and 59 lie sufliciently near the extreme ends-of cylinder 8 asto always preserve partial openings of their lower ends into cylinder 8. It will be observed therefore, that with valve 13 in the position shown, if piston' 9 was just leaving the outer end of cylinder 8, the exhaust steam would not only flow out through exhaust port 61' until piston 9 reached and closed said port'at' its lower end, but that it would during said entire time, also flow out through steam port 58 by way of the small port 62 and upper end of exhaust port 61,

also that said latter flow would be continued 12 a similar How of steam and piston movementwill take place. Furthermore as the iii-flow of steam is unrestricted, while the outflow is closely restricted'by two outlets of predetermined area, one of which remains open continuously throughout the entire stroke while the other is interrupted at a predetermined point, it is evident that the movement of the piston will be positive, strong and uniform at a fixed and predetermined speed up to the point where said outflow is interrupted, also that it will positively complete its stroke at a steady but lower rate of speedwith no tendency to cushion or recoil. Fig. 7, illustrates a most popular method of cushioning a piston at or near the end of its stroke, and in which valve chest 12 and valve 13 are almost identical with those used in my device, omitting, however, the small cross ports 62 and 63..

InFig. 7, however, the'opening at the top of the 'valve becomes the steam inlet and chambers 56 and 57 become steam chambers instead of exhaust chambers, and opening and chamber 54 becomes an exhaust chamber, a steam port 58 leads from valve chest 12 to the inner end of cylinder 8*,a like port 59" leading to the opposite end of said cylinder. Exhaust port leads from near the inner end of said cylinder to valve chest 12 and a like port leads from near the outer end of said cylinder to said chest. Control pins or plugs 64 and (when used) are located substantially as shown.

In devices of this character the functions performed are invariably of a character which do not require the piston to positively complete a definitely fixed stroke; neither is a cushioning and rebounding action objectionable.

The device shown by Fig. 7 illustrates valve 13 in such position that steam is being admitted to the inner end of the cylinder through port 58 and exhaust port 60 is also open. WVhen the piston 9 reaches port 60, however, and cuts oil the out-flow of exhaust, it is cushioned by the imprisoned vapor, is apt to rebound, and does not immediately reach the end of the cylinder,'but depends upon leakage or small bleeders (not shown) extending from the exhaust ports to the end of the cylinder to permit of its reaching the end of the cylinder. The method shown and thus described is he quently employed in devices having an otherwise violent or rapid piston movement, and even when control plugs 64 and 65 'are added, it is usually done for the purpose of slightly diminishing the speed of the piston,

but the latter in no wiseeliminatesthe cushioning effect when the exhaust ports are Closed by the-actionof the piston in passing over them. I 1 v In my device, the team 'in-fiow is ample to maintain the boiler pressure at a piston speed of fully four times that of the actual piston speed employed, but as a free exhaust flow is not permitted, but is .closely restricted, the piston is resisted by a back pressure-so near equal to the supply pressure, that. it is virtually steadied between two high pressures and-is virtually moved .byr a very low mean effective pressure, in fact, so low that achange in back'or exhaust pressure ofeven three ,or four pounds per inch, would reduce or increase said mean eifectivepressure at least %,thereby causing the piston to promptly respond to all logical changes in load resistance with no perceptible change in speed so long as the exhaust out-flow remained unchanged, while the very instant that the piston reaches the point at which a moderate portion of the exhaustout-flow iseut off, its speed will change and conform to that permitted by the remaining exhaust out-flow and without involving any perceptible cushioning effect whatsoever.

In a number of machines which I have already tested and put into service, I have demonstrated that the foregoing method of piston control produces a pistonlmovement that has never been produced or even approximflfifid in any other steam log. setting device that has so far been brought to public attention, regardless of whether they ems ployed single or multiple cylinders, or even 'air or oil control, and'yet all of the factors which contribute to same are so diflicult to define that the following information and lanation may be found advantageous. ec lprocating piston, motor actuated setworks, may justly be divided into two classes. 'One in which the movements of the setting mechanism are varied by varying the stroke of the piston, while in the other the variation is eifected by variable "means between the piston and the usual setting mechaniism,without changing the stroke of the piston. My device belongs to the latter class. In each, however, and in order to ob: ta n even afair measure of accuracy, it is necessary for the piston to promptly and positively complete the maximum stroke which for the time being is allotted to it.

No machine, however, employing a free exhaust throughout the greater part of the stroke, inconnection with a piston cushionmg system at the end of the stroke, has so far reached thepublic or been. developed to apoint where it accomplishes the aforesaid result without imparting enough inertia to members attached to the setting shaft and knees o ards, t rry them y d the true point indicated by the :travelof the actuating parts of the motor, therefore their accuracy and effectiveness has been seriously of piston speed is effected, in fact only 'sufli-,

cient reduction to bring all. movingparts down to a speed slightly below'that which I have found begins to show inertia ofthe setting shaft and knees, and which is not detectable in such devices, (having the;usual intervening mechanism), until. a piston speed of at least fifty feet per minute is exceeded. In my device, however, no cushioning effect is desired, attempted or effected but merely a moderate reduction of an already predetermined moderate speed. The piston movement prior to this being. almost if not actually the same as in hydraulic devices. I It must become evident to- 1 anyone skilled in the art, that a sudden stopping or even of checking up of actuating mechanism having sufficient speed to produce high in ertia, will not efiectively retard or control other moving members which are still free to move forward,-this fact when considered in connection with the necessity for the piston to promptly finish its predetermined stroke, confrontsthe designer witha prob lem which is not found in the many steam using and cushioning devices, in which their natural function is -successfully. performed without requiring the piston to absolutely complete its entire stroke, or in fact togo little if any beyond the point where the cushioning efiect begins. Another feature distinctly involved in my method of control, calls for additional explanation. Sawmill carriages usually employ 3 or more head blocks, 3 being the popular number. The standards of the popular sizes in large mod ern mills will approximately weight 2500 lbs. each, or in all 1 500 lbs. Alogthat will yield 300 ft. of lumber (which isfarabove the average) will weighif hardwood about 2,700 lbs. making in all approximately aeoolbs. i 1

To move said knees-and log will require substantially 35% of said weight, or; a force applied to the standards of 500 lbs. ratio ofthe pinions to the point, at which power is applied to thepawlcarrier is approximately as 1 to 4 thereby requiringa force at this point of approximately, but

350 lbs. The travel of the pawl carriers at.

no time more than slightly exceeds that :of

The

the piston, hence it will be seen that a piston energy of about 350 lbs. plus a slight addition for friction is all that is actually employed. Notwithstanding these facts, the cylinder of the motor in my device as now being built and successfully employed is 10 in diameter, and which under the working pressure now used in most mills, (approximately 100 lbs. to 110 lbs.) would if necessary yield a maximum piston energy of substantially 7,850 lbs.

From this it is seen that the energy employed under load conditions far above the average, is less than 5 per cent. of the maximum piston energy, or requires a mean effective pressure of not over 5 lbs. per inch, these facts considered in connection with an unrestricted steam inlet, and a closely restricted exhaust outlet, not only establishes the fact that the piston in my device is practically moved and controlled by a discrepancy of not exceeding 5 lbs. per inch, between that on the live steam side and that on the exhausting side of said piston, but also makes it clear that a variation of a pound or two in said discrepancy would be ample to meet any logical increase of load resistance, or to slow up the speed of the piston, depending of course on Whether the pressure rose or fell said amount on the side of the piston which was exhausting.

It is therefore the conditions stated which not only render a cushion effect entirely unnecessary in my device, but which enables me to obtain a reduction of piston speed with so little rise in exhaust resistance at any point, that it is barely detectable with an indicator. My device as above constructed also demonstrates that after a supply pressure of 50 to 60 lbs. per inch is reached; (which seems to be ample to maintain boiler pressure in the cylinder through the steam ports provided, and at the piston speed stated) any increase or variation in pressure between said 50 to 60 lbs. and 150 lbs. makes no change in the piston movements, that is detectable by the eye, ear or count, irrespective of whether the piston and rocking link only arebeing moved, or whether the machine is operating under heavy load, and full stroke, of the setting mechanism, this fact I attribute to the further fact the steam pressure on both sides of the piston at all times remains within said 4 or 5 lbs. of being equal, for it is well known that a cubic foot of steam, regardless of its pressure will flow through a fixed orifice, in substantially the same time, if acted on continuously by a force equal to the formers initial pressure.

Still another distinguishing feature of my method of piston control as compared with other steam set works, is the fact that it is effected entirely without any action or movement of the valve durin the stroke of the piston, since all restriction of the exhaust takes place before said exhaust steam reaches the valve chamber, and therefore is not affected by wear of the valve. I have found that in devices employing port arrangements similar to those shown in Fig. 7 with its cushion plug omitted and a free exhaust, that the exhaust pressure falls very low during the middle of the stroke, While at the termination of the stroke, it rises far above the initial pressure, the result being thatas the valve and piston rings became worn the piston began to strike the cylinder head with considerable impact, also that when the piston rings and valve became badly worn, or the piston rings broken the piston Was driven against the cylinder head with terrific impact all of which was due tothe fact that the high terminal pressure drove a large portion of the otherwise imprisoned steam through the leak of the valve and also back by the piston into the live steam side of the cylinder also that when the piston movement was being but slightly curtailed by cushion plugs or regulators, said plugs had to be inserted farther as wear progressed.

While in my device. the removal of the piston rings entirely only causes the piston to slow down, and as the steam, which escapes by the piston to the exhausting side thereof also has to escape along with the previous contents of the cylinder through the aforesaid predetermined exhaust openings, it becomes necessary to slightly withdraw the exhaust regulating plugs, instead of further inserting them.

Now I do not claim the exclusive right to exhaust restriction, on to cushioning the piston at the end of its stroke under all conditions or the exclusive right to imparting motion from the piston to the rocker shaft of the setting mechanism by means involving an arm having a sliding block adjustably arranged thereon.

What I claim is: i

1. A machine element adjusting mechanism comprising an intermittent grip device having a back and forth motion, a constant throw fluid pressure cylinder and piston motor, having the usual unrestricted inlet passages, and having exhaust passages constantly restricted sufficiently to materially reduce the piston speed below that which the fluid pressure would otherwise impart to it, in combination with means for transmitting the constant throw of the piston to the intermittent grip device, which means is adjustable to pre-determinedly vary the range of movement imparted thereby to said grip device.

2. A machine element adjusting mechanism comprising an intermittent grip device having a back and forth motion, a constant throw fluid pressure cylinder and piston motor, having the usual unrestricted inlet-passages and having exhaust passages sufliciently restricted to materially reduce thepiston speed below that which the fluid pressurev would otherwise impart to it, and

further. restricted by the advance of the pis pressure. cylinder and piston motor having the usual unrestricted inlet passages and havingv exhaust passages restricted throughout the entire piston stroke irrespective of any valve'movement during said stroke, sufficiently to materially reduce the piston speed throughout ,said piston stroke, below that which the fluid pressure would otherwise impart to it, in combinationwith means for transmitting .motion from the piston to the intermittent grip device.

- 4. A machine element adjusting mechanismcomprising an intermittent grip device having a back. and forth motion and embodying a rocking actuating shaft, a crank pin having a crank arm rigidly secured to said shaft, an oscillating member supported atone endby a fixed pivotal support, an are shaped guide formed by said oscillating member and so set as to become concentric to said crank pin'whenat rest in idle or home position", a cylinder,-fiuid pressure motor, having a piston and piston rod working therein, a connecting rod leading direct from saidpistonl rod to the free end of said oscillating member for imparting motion. thereto, an adjustable arc shaped member carried by the are shaped guide on said oscillating member, means for adjusting'said adjustable are shaped member upon said guide, and a 'link pivotally attached direct to both 'said are shaped adjustable member Gopies of this patent may be obtained for and said crank pin, whereby a concentric guiding member-having a unltormor fixed oscillatory movement and axis is actuated directly by a rod extension of .said motors piston, and at the same time becomes a direct element in affording means for changingthe relative movement of the intermittent grip device and the piston of said motor.

5. A machine element adjusting inecha nism comprising an intermittent grip device,

having a back and forth motion, a constant throw fluid pressure cylinder and piston motor, having inlet'passages of ample'si'ze' to admit-and maintain the full and .unre-- stricted supply pressure upon the piston, and having exhaust passages constantly restrlcted suiliciently to materially: reduce the piston speed below that which-thefluid pressurewould otherwise impart to it, in com bination' with means for'transm'ittin'g the constantthrow of the piston'to the intermittent grip. device, which means is. adjustable to predeterminedly vary the range of movement imparted thereby to'asaid grip device.

6.- A machine element adjusting mech'a-' nism comprising anintermittent grip device,

having aback and forthmotion, a fluid pressure motor, having a cylinder, a piston, and a hand controlled valve for alternating the flow of fluid to and from said motor, and

having inlet'passages of ample size to admit- W. H. APPLEMAN.

lVitnesses:

ROY H. CLARK, H. R.

five cents each, by addressing-the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

